Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal: Gunners Take Control but Leave the Door Open
Good evening and what a night we’ve just witnessed at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea versus Arsenal rarely disappoints and this Carabao Cup semi-final first leg delivered drama, momentum swings and a sense that this tie is far from settled.
Arsenal walk away with a 3–2 win and on paper, that is a huge result. It puts Mikel Arteta’s side one step closer to a first major final since lifting the FA Cup back in 2020. But as the dust settles, there’s also a feeling that this could and maybe should, have been more comfortable for the Gunners.
Ben White opened the scoring, setting the tone and soon after Arsenal were two goals up. At that point, Chelsea looked rattled. Arsenal were moving the ball with ease, creating chances and for a stretch, it felt like every attack carried danger.
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Then came a key moment for Viktor Gyokeres. The striker has faced criticism since his big-money move, with questions about confidence and finishing. This was his response. A goal from open play, his first in a while, followed by a smart assist for Martin Zubimendi. Suddenly, Arsenal were three goals ahead on the night and cruising.
But this is where the story shifts.
Chelsea refused to go away. Alejandro Garnacho pulled one back and although Zubimendi restored the two-goal cushion, Arsenal failed to fully shut the game down. Another Garnacho goal late on changed the mood entirely. From a potential statement win, it became a narrow advantage.
That matters, because taking a two-goal lead back to the Emirates, where Arsenal have not lost all season, would have felt decisive. Instead, Chelsea remain very much alive in this tie. Two away goals, belief restored and nothing to lose in the second leg.
For Arsenal, the positives are clear. They showed quality, depth and attacking power. Gyokeres looked sharper, more involved and far more confident. But the concerns are there too. Game management, defensive concentration and the inability to kill the match when on top.
As we look ahead, Arsenal are favourites, no doubt. But this result is a reminder that semi-finals demand control as much as flair. The second leg at the Emirates will decide whether this is remembered as a big step forward, or a missed opportunity that invited unnecessary danger.
That’s the story from Stamford Bridge tonight. One foot in the final for Arsenal, but the job is not done yet.
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